Kaneland's comeback falls 1 point short

Kaneland's Brittany Kemp holds her head in her hands after a missed shot in the final seconds of the Class 3A regional game vs. Plano on Wednesday, February 13. 35Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Kaneland's Ally VanBogaert, Katherine Brinkman, Brittany Kemp, and Amber Winquist Bailey lean forward with linked in arms as they watch one of the final baskets in the Class 3A regional game on Wednesday, February 13. The Knights rallied hard in the second half, but lost by just one point.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Kaneland's Emma Bradford attempts a shot after shaking off a block by Plano's Lauren Chernick in the third quarter of the Class 3A regional game on Wednesday, February 13.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Kaneland's Allyson O'Herron is knocked to the ground with a foul by Plano's Zhate Jackson in the second quarter of the Class 3A regional game on Wednesday, February 13.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Kaneland's Sarah Grams and Ashley Prost walk through Plano players after their loss in the Class 3A regional game on Wednesday, February 13.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

Kaneland's Caroline Heimerdinger makes her way through Plano players after the Knights loss in the Class 3A regional game on Wednesday, February 13.Laura Stoecker | Staff Photographer

"Once it started rolling, we got in such a great rhythm and it made us all want to work even harder," said senior Ashley Prost, who carried the Knights with an impressive 22-point performance.

"We're a pretty scrappy team and we try and we hustle as much as we possibly can and that really showed."

"It's tough to fight back and fall short like that, but what a great effort from our kids and it shows their character," said Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe.

"Kaneland ratcheted up the pressure in the fourth quarter and we got caught a little bit," said Plano coach Mario Serra. "Credit to Kaneland, all their kids hit big shots at the end, outside of the last one, and she's the best 3-point shooter I saw all year."

Plano stunned Kaneland (16-11) early on with a barrage of 3-pointers of its own against a zone designed to contain Martinez.

The Reapers drained 5-of-7 trifectas in the first quarter, including three off the bench from Albana Hoti.

They finished the quarter on a 13-0 run and scored the first four points of the second quarter for their largest lead of the game at 26-6.

"When they came out in a zone and sagged on Martinez, all the kids on the floor were told, 'if you're open, shoot the ball from three,'" Serra said.

Kaneland struggled offensively in the opening half as Martinez controlled play in the paint and collected 5 of her 8 blocks.

Prost tallied all five of the Knights' first half field goals to keep them somewhat within striking distance at 30-14.

"(Martinez) changes a lot of shots and she did that early on, but later we were a little more composed taking it to the rim," Colombe said.

With Martinez on the bench with three fouls to open the fourth, Kaneland forced three consecutive turnovers and ripped off 8 unanswered points to cut the lead to 42-35.

Brooke Harner came up with a steal and hoop, followed by consecutive baskets from Sarah Grams and a baseline jumper from Prost.

Plano briefly stemmed the tide with a basket and free throw, but O'Herron sandwiched a 3-pointer between a pair of Prost jumpers to bring Kaneland within 45-42 with 3:51 left.

Caroline Heimerdinger contributed a clutch 3-pointer and strong driving layup and Prost scored inside to close the gap to 50-49.

Temirra Ellis dropped in a pair of clutch free throws for Plano before Prost's driving layup accounted for the game's final points with 35 seconds left.

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked.
If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the X in the upper right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.